Contemporary Ireland: Politics, Economy and Culture

Travel Dates: April 29 – May 11
Instructors: Don Dugi and Barbara LoMonaco
Number of Students Enrolled: 19
Location: Ireland

Course Description

This course investigates the politics and culture of Ireland from the early 20th century until the present. Conflict (known as
the Troubles) between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and the subsequent Good Friday peace agreement of 2000 is a
central theme in this course, given that the Troubles have shaped the trajectory of Irish history in important ways.

The Ancient Polis

Course Description

In wandering through Greece in the second century CE, Pausanias came to a small settlement, which he hesitated to call a
polis, since it encompassed “no government offices or gymnasium, no theater or agora or fountain-house” (Paus. 10.4.1). Yet, as
Pausanias knew, a polis was more than the sum of such parts. Through visiting relevant sites and texts, we will attempt to
establish a more specific and relevant description of the conceptual and physical development of the polis.

Drawing on Ireland

Travel Dates: April 25 – May 9
Instructors: Martha Gehringer and Jack Girard
Number of Students Enrolled: 12
Location: Ireland

Course Description

Drawing on Ireland will bring together Transylvania student artists and writers in a unique place where they can experience
an enriching artists' and writers' retreat. Burren College of Art is an internationally recognized college “committed to the
initial education of artists and to their continuing professional development.” BCA invites artists and art students from
around the world to enjoy its excellent atmosphere and its state of the art studio facilities. The college “aims to be the
greatest little art school in the world and the forum of international significance for the debate and development of fine
art.” Concurrent with the timing of Drawing on Ireland, the college will conduct a seminar on “Art and the Law.”

Additional travel to Doolin, and overnight stays at the Aran Islands and Galway.

Additional programming--visits with local historians and folklorists, attendance at a hands-on dance festival, and on-site
art studio construction of a site-specific installation work.

Diet, Nutrition and Culture

Travel Dates: May 1 - May 16
Instructors: Gerald Seebach and Sharon Brown
Number of Students Enrolled: 19
Location: Spain/France

Course Description

Travel to northern Spain and southern France to study the lifestyle, diet, and culture of these two regions and compare them
to our lifestyle, diet, and culture as we see it in daily life. The group will visit the relatively rural Basque region of
northern Spain, look at the more metropolitan lifestyle of Barcelona, and the renowned culinary area of Provence in southern
France. Before leaving for Europe, the class will become acquainted with the Mediterranean diet and the French Paradox and be
given a brief background of the two areas.

The itinerary will include stops in Madrid, Burgos, Bilbao and Barcelona in Spain and Aix, Avignon, and Paris in France.
We will be visiting food markets in both countries, attending cooking classes in both countries, wineries in both countries as
well as visiting a castle in Spain, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, a chocolate factory near Barcelona, the Pont du Gard and
lavender fields in France. The main objective of the course is to compare the diets of these regions and compare them to an
American diet as well as the cultural lifestyle of these regions compared to our American culture.